Welcome to Washington State Chapter’s first online report of Convention of International

Chapter, P.E.O. Every P.E.O. is now able to learn about the business held at the convention Chapter, P.E.O. Every P.E.O. is now able to learn about the business held at the convention

by going to the International website, by reading the November-December issue of the

RECORD, viewing this presentation, reading the script, or by contacting the delegate

representing her chapter. We’ll report the business and try to relay the excitement and joy

of attending.

The Convention of International Chapter, P.E.O. takes place every two years and every two

years we hear questions like, “When is it our turn to send a delegate to International years we hear questions like, “When is it our turn to send a delegate to International

Convention? Seems like we haven’t sent a delegate in a long time.” You’ll be pleased to

know that our Washington State chapters are placed in a rotation so that every chapter

gets a chance to send a delegate every 10 to 12 years. International uses our membership

numbers to come up with a number of delegates who are “entitled”---who will have a vote,

and have expenses paid for housing and meals. Our 246 chapters in the state entitles us to

37 delegates who will report to about 6 chapters each. 1 past state president for every 5

living past state presidents is also entitled to vote and have expenses paid for housing and

meals. This year 5 past state presidents were entitled and 5 others joined as visitors. Past

state presidents do have voting privileges for life. This means that this year Washington

State Chapter held 47 votes.

Being a delegate to International Chapter is quite a responsibility. Delegates solicited views

and comments regarding the proposed amendments from the chapters they represented and comments regarding the proposed amendments from the chapters they represented

before coming to convention. They then considered those viewpoints as they heard

discussion during convention and voted their conscience. The delegate representing your

chapter made her own travel arrangements and it was amazing to see how we all came

together from far and wide. Each attendee registers, signs in, and then attends required

seminars. In addition to seminars, each delegate chooses 3 workshops to attend. Business

sessions began on Friday morning at 9:00 am and continued until dinner time. Business

resumed on Saturday and again, lasted all day. It is the responsibility of every delegate to

participate in all convention business sessions and to report the business to their assigned

chapters.

The 70th Convention of International Chapter, P.E.O. was held in St. Louis, Missouri in the

shadow of the famous arch which commemorates Saint Louis’ role in the westward shadow of the famous arch which commemorates Saint Louis’ role in the westward

expansion of the United States during the 19th century. Exactly 1,500 voting members were

in attendance which included 859 local chapter delegates. They were joined by more than

2,100 visitors, making total attendees more than 3,600.

Our 37 local chapter delegates, plus 5 entitled past state presidents, and about 10 visitors

flew to and from St. Louis on 17 different airplanes and one BIL chauffeured automobile. flew to and from St. Louis on 17 different airplanes and one BIL chauffeured automobile.

P.E.O. recognition pins and P.E.O. luggage tags were spotted on our flights and were

attached to delegates from British Columbia, Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. It made it

easy to join other P.E.O.s for dinner on the evening we arrived.

At 7:00 on Wednesday morning our chartered bus awaited us outside our hotel door. A

busload of 40 happy Washington State P.E.O.s began their 4 and ½ hour ride to visit the busload of 40 happy Washington State P.E.O.s began their 4 and ½ hour ride to visit the

college that they own…our Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. 283 miles and 283

thousand smiles later, we arrived in Nevada.

Delegates were greeted by the Cottey staff and given a tour of the Performing Arts building.

Several of our 16 Cottey students from Washington State joined us for lunch in the dining Several of our 16 Cottey students from Washington State joined us for lunch in the dining

hall.

Then the Golden Key seniors broke us into groups of 10 as we toured the campus. All were

impressed by the sculptures and various works of art scattered throughout the campus as impressed by the sculptures and various works of art scattered throughout the campus as

well as the friendly students who seemed happy to have us on campus. Buildings have

been restored over the years so that the historical charm remains. One delegate was over

heard to say, “I thought I’d see an old lady college----the science labs, campus, buildings

and classrooms are beautiful! Young college students must love it here. I’ve got to tell the

chapters about Cottey!”

With a teacher-student ratio of 1-10, top notch professors, and state-of-the-art facilities,

we can all be proud of our college. The delegates especially enjoyed being invited into the we can all be proud of our college. The delegates especially enjoyed being invited into the

Washington State suite to get a glimpse of suite life where about 4 dorms are joined by a

common room for the 8 to 10 students to relax and chat together. Yes, some dorm rooms

are neater than others---some things never change. You can imagine the 4 ½ hours of

chatter and fun that was had on our bus ride back to St. Louis as we munched on a box-

lunch type dinner that was provided by the Cottey dining crew. Memories were made,

friendships cemented, and beds were welcomed as we pulled into the driveway of our

hotel around 9:30 pm that night.

Convention began on Thursday morning. Each delegate attended the required

“Finance/Budget Seminar” and the “Study and Research Amendments Seminar” to gain a “Finance/Budget Seminar” and the “Study and Research Amendments Seminar” to gain a

better understanding of the workings of our monies and just how we would implement

Robert’s Rules of Order throughout convention. The afternoon was a time to view project

displays and attend workshops. The workshops presented were entitled, “Powerful

Decisions, Confident Lives”, “What’s Cooking at Cottey”, “Show Me Cottey Dancing”, and

“How to Dig Up Your Roots (without gardening)” through genealogy. This made for a time

to “seek growth in knowledge and culture” and to “obtain all possible wisdom…”

The formal opening of convention began with a Parade of Flags where each

state/province/or district was represented as their president and organizer proudly state/province/or district was represented as their president and organizer proudly

marched throughout the auditorium. Traditionally the president and organizer wear

matching shirts and Kay and Nancy had fun by donning matching rain jackets to represent

our state of Washington…yes, we know that the sun shines on the east side of the

mountains. The flag parade reminds us that P.E.O. is much bigger than our own chapter

and state. Every delegate wore a scarf, collar, sash, or badge to identify their

state/province/or district. We are an International organization of women with high ideals

and purpose.

There was assigned seating for the delegates of each state/district/or province. Business

meetings involved voting on an electronic voting pad which is much like your television meetings involved voting on an electronic voting pad which is much like your television

remote “clicker”. Amendments were presented, addressed, and then each delegate

pressed a “pro” or a “con” button on the remote. Ballots were then tallied electronically

and results were shared immediately.

Wearing our Washington State sashes made it easy to spot each other and for others to

recognize those of us from the Evergreen State. Friendships were renewed, chapter recognize those of us from the Evergreen State. Friendships were renewed, chapter

successes were shared, commonalities and differences were celebrated.

Know that the delegates representing your chapter took their responsibilities seriously.

They diligently studied the proposed amendments, listened to the discussion, your input, They diligently studied the proposed amendments, listened to the discussion, your input,

and then voted according. It made for productive, fulfilling, long days which we counted as

a privilege.

Project night proved to be emotional and uplifting. Cottey’s Defining Moment campaign

was kicked off and the new Baccalaureate programs are now in place. An ELF recipient was kicked off and the new Baccalaureate programs are now in place. An ELF recipient

relayed how her return to school has brought her to extensive studies and research with

the Smithsonian museums…including being able to wear the Hope diamond for a moment

or two. The IPS student received a standing ovation for her amazing piano performance. A

PCE recipient told how her study in art history led to working with digital media and to

bringing art to people who are homeless. A STAR recipient is now the Vice President of the

Student Body at Princeton University…a first for a woman. She hopes that her studies will

help to improve the education of women in South Africa. Our Scholar Award recipient

brought such hope to all of us who have been touched by breast cancer---everyone in the

audience. She is a mechanical engineer who went on to receive an MD in radiology and

she has created a way to use bio chemical signals to identify cancer cells. She was pleased

to let us know that mammograms and “being crushed” will soon be a thing of the past and

cancer will be detected in the very earliest stages. Our P.E.O. Projects are changing

lives…changing our world.

You can imagine how much chatting goes on at meal time. Our delegates took advantage

of the chance to meet P.E.O.s from all across the USA and Canada. The well thought out of the chance to meet P.E.O.s from all across the USA and Canada. The well thought out

meals added to our experience. Have you ever tasted St. Louis’ “Gooey Butter Cake”? We

have. Look out Paula Deene.

A notable fact is that all 47 delegates plus our visitors arrived a few minutes EARLY to every

appointed meeting time….and they brought their smiles with them.appointed meeting time….and they brought their smiles with them.

Our state officers, Treasurer Elizabeth Humphrey, Vice President Kay Ebert, President Nancy

Stannert, Organizer Milla Oestreich, and Secretary Susan Heiser enjoyed getting to know Stannert, Organizer Milla Oestreich, and Secretary Susan Heiser enjoyed getting to know

our sisters from around the state. We were surrounded by the enthusiasm of our state’s

delegates and loved seeing the warmth bounce from one P.E.O. to another throughout our

time together.

Delegates were shuttled to the airport at various times on Sunday. Quite a few flew on the

flight scheduled to depart at 6:00 p.m. so we used the time to do a little exploring. The St. flight scheduled to depart at 6:00 p.m. so we used the time to do a little exploring. The St.

Louis arch is quite a sight. Climbing into the 5 passenger, knee-to-knee trams was not for

the claustrophobic. The view from the top of the 630 foot Gateway Arch was well worth

any trepidation. Although your state president’s eyes are closed in this photo, she can

attest to the grandeur of the land viewed from the observation windows. Those who knew

that they would rather have their feet on the ground enjoyed the gift shop and joined the

adventurers when they came back down to earth. A museum at the base of the arch

highlighted Westward Expansion and told of the Lewis and Clark expedition from St. Louis

to our Washington coast. Other sights included the Old Courthouse where the Dred Scott

trial was held. Remember that Dred and Harriet Scott were slaves who sued for their

freedom and when the case was lost, it triggered the beginning of the Civil War. The

Mississippi Riverfront called many of us to it’s shore as we enjoyed lunch together. A

nearby Botanical Garden and an Interactive Art Museum delighted others

32 amendments were voted upon and 16 were adopted. All adopted amendments became

effective October 1, 2011 but are not to be implemented until the official written notice effective October 1, 2011 but are not to be implemented until the official written notice

appears in the November-December issue of the P.E.O. RECORD and/or instructions with

implementing materials are received in the winter 2012 chapter mailing.

Many of the amendments which passed were “housekeeping” amendments which will

strike obsolete parts of our Constitution and clarify others. Of particular interest is the

amendment that passed which has allowed a $3 increase in dues to International Chapter

and an amendment which was passed that changes the vote necessary to defeat the ballot

from one con vote to two con votes and allow a second ballot if there are only two con

votes. Changes in the wording to the Ceremony of Initiation and prayers were considered.

Washington State’s proposed amendment was passed which will entitle the presidents and

vice presidents of state/provinces/and districts to be members of Convention of

International Chapter. If you are curious about the amendments, the voting, and to learn

more about the outcomes, please go to our peowashington.org website where those

details are posted. We are looking forward to our next Convention of International Chapter

which will be held in Dallas, Texas. The theme “Deep In The Heart” will surely include more

than the heart of Texas. The Texas delegation has bellowed a hearty “Y’all come. Y’ hear”.

Remember that the Convention of International Chapter is OUR convention. It is where

change is made. If you see a need for a change in our Constitution, take it to your chapter. change is made. If you see a need for a change in our Constitution, take it to your chapter.

The chapter will then vote on whether to propose an amendment and present it at the

Washington State Chapter convention in June. The state delegation would then vote on

whether to propose the amendment at the International level. If the proposed

amendment passes at the Convention of International Chapter, the Constitution is changed.

For more specifics on the business held in St. Louis, do go to the www.peointernational.org

website and know that all the information will be printed in the November-December website and know that all the information will be printed in the November-December

RECORD and in the official Proceedings. Your chapter has been assigned a delegate who

has taken on the responsibility to inform members on the proceedings of the International

Convention. Feel free to ask questions.

Our goal in creating this presentation was to report the business of the Convention of

International Chapter and to try to relay the excitement and joy of attending. We hope we

have accomplished just that.